Stuck seacock

[IanPoole2]

Does anybody remember a post where someone advised pouring oil down the heads to free a stuck valve?

If you do - what type of oil is best - baby or vegetable? and does it work for gate valves?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[VicS]

I think that was for lubricating the pump and valves of the heads.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[davidbuttriss]

Gate valves are the Devils fittings. Get lifted out, remove gate valve and replace the offending item. Pouring oil into the toilet lubes the loo pump , does nothing for the seacock.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[chookchaser]

If you are lucky enough to have Blake seacocks (2nd best thing to come out of Blighty) you should disassemble and grease them as part of your annual maintenance. Very simple and robust devices, and it is almost obvious from just looking at them how to pull them apart. I use Castrol outboard grease on mine and it lasts a year or so before the seacocks start to bind a bit. Then it's a case of slackening off the adjuster bolts to move the seacock from open to close or vice versa, and either re-tightening the adjustment, or accepting that some water will drip in to the boat. Although I haven't tried it, some say that this type of seacock can be partly dismantled with the boat in the water and a bit of grease shoved in to free them up. Also it's a good idea to exercise them regularly by fully opening and closing, but that applies to any seacock if you want to have confidence in it.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[greatspirit]

What sort of seacock is it?
If Blakes see other post.....could dry out out and do this.
If gate valve will probably need replacing preferably with a Blakes
Fully opening and closing all sea cocks before and after use and certainly when leaving the boat is good seamanship...however with a gate valve advise open and then partially close 1/8 or 1/4 turn when in use to prevent sticking in the open position
good luck

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Althorne]

After a survey and purchase I found mine was stuck (surveyer a waste of money)so I beached her in a sandy bay made sure she 'tilted' the opposite way to the sea cock, released the adjuster, climbed underneath, gave it a wack with a hammer handle, put some grease on it and did all up again. Lasted the 4 day trip home and until the end of the season with a regular turn each weekend and did the job properly in the winter.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://colvicownersclub.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk

 

[andy_wilson]

If it is a Blakes Seacock, with a grease nipple, try using the best grease gun you can find (possibly requires flexible extension) to force grease between the two elements to separate and free them.

If they don't run free after this, you will need to dismantle and refurb, but keep the grease gun on board anyway. Twice a season will be enough to keep them running smooth for years.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Apetts]

Try pouring some Coke Cola down the loo and leaving for a few hours. It freed my siezed rudder bearings!

<hr width=100% size=1>